plate no. 9324

Paris after Rain

Konstantín Korovin, 1900

oilImpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingstreesstreetmoonfigure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective and capturing the effects of light and reflection in a wet urban environment. It also encourages loose brushwork and suggestive detail rather than precise rendering.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the buildings, trees, and figure, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the overall dark value of the sky and the wet street with a thin wash of dark color.
step 03
Block in the main shapes of the buildings and trees using darker greens, browns, and grays.
step 04
Add lighter values to suggest the moonlight and reflections on the wet surfaces.
step 05
Use short, broken brushstrokes to create the texture of the trees and the shimmering effect of the reflections.
step 06
Add small details like the streetlights and the windows of the buildings.
step 07
Refine the figure and add subtle variations in color to create depth and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the sense of light and form.

color palette

primary · dark green · gray · brown · black

secondary · yellow ochre · white · dark blue

Mix dark greens by combining dark blue or black with yellow ochre and a touch of brown. Achieve the atmospheric grays by mixing white with small amounts of black, blue, and brown.

techniques